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Highlands Today

Pretrial conference moved in murder case

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: June 1, 2009

LAKE PLACID - A pretrial conference is set for July in the case of a Sun 'n Lakes man charged in the November death of another Lake Placid resident.

Juan Carlos Morales, 30, of 541 Sun 'n Lakes Blvd., Lake Placid, remains in Highlands County Jail under no bond. He was scheduled to have a bond hearing Wednesday, but it did not happen because the public defender's office, citing conflict, filed a motion to be discharged from the case.

Judge Peter Estrada granted the motion and Morales' case was assigned to the Office of Regional Conflict Counsel. Attempts to contact the local regional conflict attorney and advise her of the situation were unsuccessful, according to Estrada.

The judge told the defendant a member of the regional conflict office should be able to see him as soon as possible, prior to the July 9 pretrial conference.

Morales is charged in connection with the death of Michael Vernon Arnold, 29.

At 6 p.m., on Nov. 3, 2008, deputies with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office went to 224 Deerwalk Ave., in Lake Placid, after receiving reports of a shooting. The victim was found dead of a gunshot wound.

Morales reportedly used a shotgun to kill Arnold, the indictment stated.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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